1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Author bio Historical context Characters Themes

2. Ken Kesey, the author Farm boy from Oregon, born 1935 Attended University of Oregon, married high school sweetheart, had 3 kids 1959 – volunteers in an experiment about hallucinogenic drugs –Volunteers to work night shift in a mental ward –Believed patients weren’t crazy, just individualized beyond society’s expectations –Begins writing –Goes on a road trip with his friends, the Merry Pranksters

3. The Merry Pranksters Early 1960s Initiated the “hippie” phenomena in S.F. Openly used psyochoactive drugs, wore outlandish attire, performed bizarre acts of street theater, engaged in peaceful confrontation "What we hoped was that we could stop the coming end of the world."

4. Kesey after Further Spent six months in Mexico as a fugitive from the law for possession of marijuana Turned himself in in 1966 and spent five months in jail Wrote largely autobiographical prose after imprisonment before returning to fiction Died in 2001

5. The Counterculture Unconventional appearance, music, drugs, communitarian experience and sexual liberation White, middle class, young Americans Espoused the ideals of free speech, equality, and happiness Centralized in Haight St, S.F.

6. Themes to Consider Physical and moral courage Self-reliance Independence What is insanity? Group effort - The Combine Morality - good over evil Biblical allegory Challenging symbols of conformity Therapeutic role of nature Importance of sexuality Anti-feminism - superiority of males Human freedom vs control Humor and satire, the power of laughter Modern version of Western Cartoon imagery Symbolism of names